Northwest NEWS

New licenses are for five years

Beginning Saturday, July 1, the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) will implement the new 5-year driver's license.

Postcards announcing the new 5-year driver's license expiration and higher licensing fees have been arriving in motorist's mailboxes since June 1st. The new law:

Increases the driver's license expiration period from 4 years to 5 years.

Raises the driver's license and motorcycle endorsement fees from $14 to $25.

Raises the commerical drivers license fee from $12 to $20.

As part of the transition to the 5-year license term, twenty percent of the drivers due to renew their license will be randomly selected and sent an application to extend by mail. During this 5-year period, these drivers will mail in a prorated license fee and in return will receive an extension sticker that makes their license valid until their birthday in 2004 or 2005. This extension by mail process will help to evenly distribute the renewal cycle of Washington's 4.2 million drivers.